Integrated Management of Industrial and Municipal Wastewater in China. - Demonstration Project in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province

Abstract

The city of Jiaxing in Zhejiang Province is a medium-size, rapidly expanding Chinese city located in a flat landscape with numerous canals. These are used for navigation, fishing, aquaculture and as drinking and industrial water source, but also as recipients for domestic and industrial wastewater and runoff from agriculture, paved roads and solid waste landfills in the area. The canals are severely polluted. NIVA has been assisting Jiaxing Environmental Protection Bureau (JEPB) in finding solutions to the local wastewater problems. The industry in the area discharges substantial quantities of potentially toxic wastewater to the sewer systems. There are, however, good possibilities for cleaner production routines in various factories. Several measures facilitate the transport of sewage to the nearby Hangzhou Bay, and sewage treatment processes before final disposal have been identified. The project has identified current and future wastewater production and recipient status. Based on pilot-plant operation and computer models a complete system for sewage collection and treatment has been suggested. This is based on transport of untreated sewage to Hanfzhou Bay where the construction of a sewage treatment plant is planned. The treatment methodology is based on a flexible chemically enhanced primary treatment (CEPT), followed by a biological step at a later stage. The project findings put emphasis on knowledge transfer and strengthening of JEPB resources to find solutions to the water-related problems in the city. In addition a detailed abatement plan should be developed, taking existing water quality, user interests and future water quality objectives into account.